Saudi Prince Bandar Sought Amid Death Rumors

PARIS — Unconfirmed reports are emerging from the Middle East and Europe that Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief — and former ambassador to the United States — Prince Bandar bin Sultan has been assassinated, according to the International Business Times.

The Times said the Voltaire Network of Paris reported the prince was killed in a bomb attack on July 26. He was allegedly murdered by Syrian operatives in retaliation for his alleged role in the July 18 bombing in Damascus, which killed four of President Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle, including Defense Minister Dawoud Rajiha and his deputy Assef Shawkat.

However, neither Saudi nor Syrian sources have confirmed the alleged assassination, according to the Times.

The prince was a familiar figure in the United States, where he served as Saudi ambassador from 1983 until 2005. He was appointed Saudi intelligence chief earlier this month, reportedly a reward for having orchestrated the Damascus attack.